ENERCON - Control System

ENERCON control system:

• Constant evaluation of measurement data from wind sensor to adapt nacelle yaw control
• Variable speed for maximum wind turbine efficiency at all wind speeds, and elimination of undesirable output peaks and high operating load
• Active pitch control system to obtain ideal angle of flow on the rotor blades ensures maximum output and stress reduction on the entire wind turbine
• ENERCON brake system for maximum turbine reliability by means of three independently operated pitch mechanisms with standby power supply (batteries) in case of a mains failure
• Tower and generator monitoring by means of vibration and acceleration sensors to check tower oscillation
• Temperature and air gap sensors between rotor and stator ensure dependable annular generator operation

Monitoring grid connection

Ensuring proper power feed from ENERCON wind turbines into the grid requires grid connection monitoring. Grid parameters such as voltage, current and frequency are measured on the low-voltage side between the ENERCON inverter and the system transformer. The measured values are continuously transmitted to the control system, enabling the turbine to react immediately to changes in grid voltage or frequency. If the defined limit values for system or grid protection are exceeded, the wind turbine is safely shut down and the service teams are informed. As soon as voltage and frequency return within the permissible tolerance range, the turbine is automatically started up again. Prolonged downtimes are thus avoided.

ENERCON storm control

ENERCON wind turbines run with a special storm control feature. Storm control enables reduced wind turbine operation in the event of extremely high wind speeds, and prevents typical shutdowns which cause considerable yield losses.

The reason is that a specified maximum wind speed has been exceeded. In wind turbines without storm control, this occurs, for example, at a wind speed of 25 m / s within the 20 second mean. The wind turbine only starts up again when the average wind speed drops below the shutdown speed or an even lower restart speed. In gusty wind conditions there may be a longer delay, which means that considerable yield losses are incurred.

At high wind speeds, ENERCON wind turbines work on a different principle. They are equipped with special storm control software which prevents unnecessary abrupt shutdowns.

This is achieved by slightly pitching the rotor blades out of the wind. Once the wind speed drops, the blades turn back into the wind and the turbine immediately resumes operation at full power. This prevents yield-reducing shutdown and start-up procedures. ENERCON’s Storm Control feature also offers the grid substantial security benefits. At extremely high wind speeds there is no risk of major disturbances caused by longer feed-in interruptions which could have the same effect as simultaneous shutdowns of several conventional power plants.